Girls swimming: Scouting the Fox Valley
Bartlett-Streamwood SabrehawksCoach: Jeremy Meserole
Key losses to graduation: Sarah Hanning, Meagan Cummins.
Top returning swimmers: Kayla Filipek, Sr., Brianna Cichon, Sr., Kelly Byrne, Sr., Morgan Kelly, Sr., Gabby Seberger, Jr., Paige Edmier So.
Key newcomers: Kellsie Krisch, Fr., Casey Byrne, Fr., Sydney Kelly, Fr., Abby Hultquist, Fr.
Outlook: Bartlett-Streamwood has been building to challenge St. Charles North and St. Charles East as one of the top area teams, and this year's team is one of the strongest in recent years. Losing Sarah Hanning hurts the Sabrehawks, but there is abundant talent remaining, including Kayla Filipek, who is a three-time state qualifier. Filipek was fifth in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 freestyle as a junior, and she had a successful club season, which included competition at the U.S. Olympic trials. Bartlett-Streamwood turned a corner in 2015, qualifying a pair of relays, and a core of this year's team has experience swimming at the state meet. Added to this strong core is a group of freshmen who could contribute immediately. "We have a strong upper class group that knows what it's like to compete at the state meet, and a strong freshman class that gives us more depth than we've had in any previous years. We're looking for most of these girls to contribute in a positive ways at the sectional and state level this year," Meserole said.
Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Scott Lattyak
Top returning swimmers: Ashlynn Baker, Sr., Karsen Seeger, Sr., Sarah Pilut, Jr., Emily Havard, Jr., Sejal Dhindsa, Jr., Samantha Anthony, So., Emma Boldwyn, So., Krysta Rogers. Sr., Kaci Brisco Jr.
Key newcomers: Ayden Donfris Fr., Payton Walsh Fr.
Outlook: Cary-Grove has a solid blend of newcomers and experienced swimmers as it starts its 2016 season. The Trojans have a history of success, including Kate Aherne earlier this century and Melissa Rose, who graduated two years ago. Lattyak said freshmen Ayden Donfris and Payton Walsh could make immediate impacts on the team. "I'm very excited about our team dynamic this season," Lattyak said. "We have a strong group of veterans and two very promising freshmen who are talented and very enthusiastic about swimming," Lattyak said
Crystal Lake co-opCoach: Stephanie Wozny
Swimmers lost to graduation: Isabella Portincaso
Top returning swimmers: Paige Dalbke, Sr., Tessa Shorten, Sr., Valerie Tarazi, Jr., Rhiannon Wozny, So., Caitlin Pieroni, So., Theresa Grivas, Jr., Iliana Portincaso, Jr.
Key newcomers: Jamie Gindorf, Fr.
Outlook: Last year was a special year for the co-op that includes swimmers from Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South and Prairie Ridge. After an undefeated season and victories at both levels in the Fox Valley Conference meet, the co-op finished fifth in its sectional and placed 24th at the state meet. To add to that, the team only lost one swimmer to graduation, so expectations are naturally very high. "We are looking to build on last season's success and put in the hard work in and out of the pool," Wozny said. "This group has been largely together for four years on the high school team, but has known each other much longer than that." The team's most successful swimmer is Valerie Tarazi, who won the 100 breaststroke and was second in the 200 IM and is on-course to join Brittany Kline as the team's only four-year state medalist. Tarazi competed in the U.S. Olympic trials this summer. Rhiannon Wozny and Paige Dalbke whose club-level success should translate into high school achievements. Wozny mentioned her team has a true family feeling as she blends athletes from all three schools. In addition to Tarazi, Rhiannon Wozny and Dalbke have a chance to make the state meet. "We are working to place higher at both sectionals and state with more individual qualifiers, along with maybe a relay or two," Wozny said.
Elgin-Larkin co-opCoach: Carl Metzke
Top returning swimmers and divers: Nicole Levandowski Jr., Makenna Downing Jr., Lilly Woerner Jr.
Key newcomers: Melinda Levandowski Fr.
Outlook: From a team that was limited in numbers to begin with, the Elgin-Larkin co-op graduated six seniors from last year's team. This year's squad is similarly challenged for swimmers, but adds freshman Melinda Levandowski to the mix. "We have a small team and a young team," Metzke said. "We have two seniors and we're looking to get back to basics and master fundamentals while finding a new identity as a team."
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Brenda Czarnecki
Swimmers lost to graduation: Kelli Herron, Abigail Siefken, Angel Wong, Jaclyn Smitendorf.
Top returning swimmers: Allison Cravens, Jr., Jordan McGuire, Jr., Katelyn Carlson, So., Allie Kriegler, Sr.
Key newcomers: Lindsey Ferguson, Jr., Hailey Hill, Sr.
Outlook: A massive turnout combined with the constricted three-lane pool at Huntley led to a first situation for the Red Raiders: They had to cut some athletes, something Czarnecki said she really didn't want to do. "We're pretty cramped the way it is, so we had no choice," Czarnecki said. Huntley has high hopes as it prepares for the 2016 season. With six seniors, a large number of returning swimmers and a pair of returning swimmers to the program, there are hopes of improving on last year's fourth-place conference finish. Lindsey Ferguson returns after cross country as she recovered from an elbow injury while Hailey Hill is back after a year focused on club swimming. "I would like to see a couple of girls go to state and I would love to get a relay qualified for state," Czarnecki said. "We've got high hopes and I think it's going to be a good team. The team building has started out strongly, and that will build good teamwork within our group."
Jacobs-Hampshire co-opCoach: Emily Susmarski
Swimmers lost to graduation: Jackie O'Connor, Sydney Erickson.
Top returning swimmers: Izzy Bavaro, Jr., Olivia Zawadzki, Jr., Megan Herrera, So., Alexa Agoranos, Sr.
Key newcomers: Rachel Subrin, Jr.
Outlook: As with many teams in the area, the Jacobs-Hampshire co-op has a massive turnout this year, with 31 swimmers in the program. Some of those are incredibly talented, especially Izzy Bavaro, a two-time state qualifier. "(Bavaro) took some time off in the winter season and that really did help her," Susmarski said. "She's a lot more focused. She's excited to be at practice every single day." Jacobs-Hampshire has 10-11 swimmers on the varsity team, which limits the team in some ways. It does not limit their talent, however. In addition to Bavaro, there are other key swimmers, including senior Alexa Agoranos. "At practice, she and Izzy are pushing each other constantly. They've been the main leaders in practice," Susmarski said. Susmarski said each of the girls on the team have written goals for the coming season, and she has enjoyed reading them. "A lot of them are really wanting to make themselves better. A lot of them would like to make it to state, and there are 4-5 of them we're hoping can make it, and that'd be about half the varsity team," Susmarski said.
Rosary BeadsCoach: Bill Schalz
Key losses to graduation: Katie Rentz, Georgia Young.
Top returning swimmers: Alex Yager, Sr., Sammie Laurich, Jr., Emily Ryan, Jr., Camryn Streid, Jr., Julie Bottarini, So., Linda Licari, Kat Mueller, So., Sydney Vanovermeiren, So., Athena Ye, So.
Key newcomers: Anne Tavierne, Fr., Olivia Hoskins, Fr., Kambia Hoskins, Fr.
Outlook: Rosary finished 2015 with its fifth state title since 2006 and the Beads are well-poised to make a run at the title this year. One of the keys to making that happen is one of the strongest core groups of swimmers in school history. There are many ways to assess Rosary's 2016 title chances, but the fact that the Beads won the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay and finished second in the 400 freestyle relay shows the depth they had. There were considerable individual successes as well, and Rosary had the meet well in-hand by the midpoint of the competition. The Beads graduated two from last year's team and only have one senior, Alex Yager, on this year's varsity squad. Yager is, however, one of the state's stars. She won the 200 IM as a junior and was fourth in the 100 breaststroke and swam on both the Beads' freestyle relays. Athena Ye won the 100 backstroke as a freshman while teammate Emily Ryan was third. Anne Tavierne could be another in a long line of impact freshmen for Rosary this fall. "We were impressive last year and with under experience under our belt, we could be that much more special this year," Schalz said.
St. Charles East SaintsCoach: Joe Cabel
Key losses to graduation: Isabel Herb, Jordan Morling, Lucy Johnson
Top returning swimmers: Amy Pearson, Sr., Kayla Jones, Jr., Anna O'Malley, Sr., Rachel Nagler, Sr., Courtney Green Sr., Molly Moss, Sr., Gabi Pompilio, So., Kaitlin Cramer, So., Linda Hoppe, Sr. Jessica Astrup, Jr.
Key newcomers: Mary Jania (breaststroker), Annika Schmidt (500), Lauren Carne (Diver), Brianna Sypolt (IM), Elise Kichka (500), Isabel Sypolt (breaststroke).
Outlook: Coming from a solid 12th-place finish at last year's state meet, St. Charles East lost a trio of core swimmers in Isabel Herb, Jordan Morling and Lucy Johnson. So when Cabel talks about this being a "reload" sort of year, that's where he's coming from. But when Cabel talks about the talent the team still has, there's plenty of that too - Amy Pearson, Kayla Jones, Anna O'Malley and Rachel Nagler form the core of this year's team. From there, the Saints have a two-pronged approach to finding the swimmers who will carry the team through this year and into the future. First, there are other returning swimmers, some who propelled the team to second place in the Upstate Eight Conference a year ago. Among these are sophomores like Gabi Pompilio and Kaitlin Cramer and senior Linda Hoppe. Then there are newcomers to the team. Finding the mix and getting all these athletes to swim fast by mid-November is Cabel's goal. "A lot depends on how quickly we get back into shape and how the freshmen swimmers mature," Cabel said.
St. Charles North North StarsCoach: Rob Rooney
Key losses to graduation: Sammy Sauer, Monica Guyett, Katie Schutz, Grace Samuelson.
Top returning swimmers: Audrey Guyett, Jr., Mallory Jump So., Rachel Ponte, So., Kate Cantrell So., Kyleigh Lewis So., Jules Engesser So., Claire Sebastian Sr., Maddie Schutz Jr.
Key newcomers: Sydney Maxwell Fr., Haley Olsen Fr., Mary Ellen Wolff Fr., Mary Kate Phillips Fr., Megan Armstrong Fr.
Outlook: St. Charles North had its most successful state meet when the North Stars finished third. Graduation hit the team hard and there are significant holes to fill. "We have a great team that needs to build off last year," Rooney said. "We have a lot of work and growth that needs to take place." Of the returning key North Stars, Audrey Guyett tops the list. As a sophomore, Guyett was second in the 100 backstroke and third in the 500 freestyle. The North Stars were solid through the year, sweeping both the varsity and junior-varsity levels of the Upstate Eight Conference meet, then narrowly finishing second to St. Charles East in the IHSA sectionals. "I think we're a very young team that's got an abundance of upside," Rooney said. "I think we've got great team chemistry and great kids who are returning who understand what's going on. Then there's excitement from the young kids." The North Stars have a number of swift swimmers, all of whom have at least two years remaining in their high school careers. Among these are Kayleigh Lewis and Rachel Ponte. Star junior-varsity swimmers from a year ago, including Kate Cantrell and Claire Sebastian, will look to step into varsity roles this year. Then there is a group of five freshmen, some of whom will be impact swimmers this fall as well. "We're getting some great leadership from our non-senior leaders," Rooney said. "I think we have a lot of kids who had some great opportunities last year. We've got some great things going on in the pool."
West Aurora BlackhawksCoach: Chris Ranallo
Key losses to graduation: Annika Ness, Tina Lirot, Avery Massie.
Top returning swimmers: Erin Iglesias, Jr., Gina Jenkins, So., Rachel Heiss Sr., Jordan Majersky Jr., Alexis Newendyke, So., Rhiannon Gustafson So.
Key newcomers: Haley Atkins, Fr., Sophie Bastian, Fr., Elizabeth King Fr., Chloe Leonard Fr., Jackie Watts, Fr., Sarah Malone, Fr.
Outlook: There's been something building within girls swimming at West Aurora for a few years. There are more swimmers in the water, there are more year-round swimmers in the program. This year, all that may combine to see the Blackhawks gain a state qualifier, and this may just be the start of a strong period for the team. "Seeing Annika Ness graduate was a hit for us," Ranallo said. "But if you look at us this year, we have 35 kids in water and the freshman group coming in is solid." Ranallo said for the first time in his five years at West Aurora, he's been able to completely fill a lineup card for varsity meets. What's more, those swimmers are talented, especially the half-dozen freshmen on the varsity team. "It's pushing Rachel (Heiss) and Erin (Iglesias) and Jordan (Majersky) and Rhiannon (Gustafson) because they're so solid. The older girls see these kids and say 'I need to step up and swim fast.' " Of the freshmen, three to watch include Sophie Bastian, who is only a few seconds off the school record in the 100 breaststroke; Chloe Atkins, who is a sprint freestyler, and Haley Atkins, who can swim all four strokes and could work into a number of roles in the lineup. Of the older swimmers, Heiss, is the Blackhawks have a leader in the pool, Iglesias is already swimming quickly and Jenkins has a shot to qualify for the state meet as a sophomore.